Revisit the E2 Domain of Amyloid Precursor Protein: Ferroxidase, Superoxide and Peroxynitrite Scavenging Activities

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the biological precursor of β-amyloids, a known histopathological hallmark associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The function of APP is of great interest yet remains elusive. One of the extracellular domains of APP, the E2 domain, has been proposed to possess ferroxidase activity and affect neuronal iron homeostasis. However, contradicting evidence has been reported, and its precise role remains inconclusive. Here, we studied the Cu-binding site of the E2 domain using extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), UV–vis, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and discovered that a new labile water ligand coordinates to the Cu(II) cofactor in addition to the four known histidines. We explored the proposed ferroxidase activity of the Cu(II)-E2 domain through reactions with ferrous iron and observed single-turnover ferrous oxidation activity with a rate up to 1.0 × 102 M–1 s–1. Cu(I)-E2 reacted with molecular oxygen at a rate of only 5.3 M–1 s–1, which would restrict any potential multiturnover ferroxidase activity to this slow rate and prevents observation of activity under multiturnover conditions. The positive electrostatic potential surface of the protein indicates possible reactivity with negatively charged small substrates such as superoxide radicals (O2•–) and peroxynitrite (ONOO–) that are major contributors to the oxidative stress prevalent in the extracellular environment. Our assays showed that Cu(I)-E2 can remove O2•– at a rate of 1.6 × 105 M–1 s–1, which is slower than the rates of native SODs. However, the reaction between Cu(I)-E2 and ONOO– achieved a rate of 1.1 × 105 M–1 s–1, comparable to native ONOO– scavenger peroxiredoxins (105–107 M–1 s–1). Therefore, the E2 domain of APP can serve as an enzymatic site that may function as a ferroxidase under substrate-limiting conditions, a supplemental O2•– scavenger, and an ONOO– remover in the vicinity of the cellular iron efflux channel and protect neuron cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) damage.